If you’re looking for things to do at Santiago de Chile Airport during a long layover or overnight stay, you’ll find the airport generally workable — though it’s not a destination in itself. The airport is modern and busy, with places to eat, shop, connect to Wi-Fi, and sit down between flights, and sleeping overnight is usually tolerated if you come prepared.
This guide focuses on simple, practical ways to get through your layover more comfortably, from finding food and a lounge to understanding what’s realistic if you plan to rest or step outside the airport. Keep expectations modest, pack a few sleep essentials, and you’ll find SCL airport works well enough as a stopover — even if it’s mostly a place to wait rather than explore.
1. Grab a bite to eat
Terminal 1 (domestic) and Terminal 2 (international) both have a variety of dining options — from casual snacks to sit-down meals. There are cafés, fast food, and local food stands airside and landside, and many places stay open late or 24/7.
Helpful picks at SCL Airport:
- Local and casual: La cabrera al paso (local Chilean fare, after security, T2)
Cestee - Fast food and quick bites: McDonald’s (in both terminals), Uncle Fletch burgers, LuluPok poké bowls (all in T2)
Cestee - Healthy/plant-friendly: Natoo Santiago — a health-conscious café with vegan-friendly options reported near/at the airport.
- Minimarkets: Maxi K and mini markets for snacks, drinks, and packaged food (Terminal 1 & 2)
2. Hang out in a lounge
If you’ve always wanted to check out an airport lounge, now is your chance! Several lounges here are open to any traveller, regardless of airline or flight class. This means that economy class travellers can pay the entry fee and enjoy a comfortable environment, including food and drinks, WiFi, TV and news, and some peace and quiet. A few lounges even offer shower facilities. Pre-book a pass online or use your lounge membership program to gain entry. See our Santiago de Chile Airport Guide for details and locations. [ read more ]
3. Shop
Santiago de Chile Airport has a solid mix of duty-free and retail shops airside in both terminals, making it a convenient place to pick up last-minute gifts, local food items, and travel essentials before leaving the country. Selection and prices are typical for a major international airport, but it’s a useful stop if you didn’t have time to shop in the city.
Items travellers often look for before leaving Chile:
- Chilean wine – One of the most popular airport purchases, with well-known regions like Maipo, Colchagua, and Casablanca commonly represented in duty-free.
- Pisco – Chile’s signature grape brandy, often available in gift sets or smaller bottles suitable for carry-on when purchased airside.
- Chilean food products – Look for packaged snacks, chocolates, alfajores, manjar (dulce de leche), olive oil, or local spices such as merkén (smoked chili).
- Lapis lazuli jewellery – A stone closely associated with Chile and often sold in souvenir or jewellery shops.
- Copper items – Chile is one of the world’s largest copper producers, and small decorative pieces or jewellery sometimes appear in gift shops.
You’ll also find cosmetics, liquor, tobacco, electronics, books, clothing, and convenience stores for snacks and drinks. If you’re short on time, shopping airside after security is the easiest option, especially before long-haul departures.
Expect airport pricing and a curated selection rather than deep local bargains — but it’s a practical place to pick up something distinctly Chilean before heading home.
4. Go sightseeing
If you can’t stand one more second in an airport, why not leave and explore? If you have a layover of 8+ hours, heading into downtown Santiago is a perfect way to pass your time.
Your speediest option will be to hire a taxi, which will have you downtown in about 30 minutes. Head to the taxi counters in the Arrivals Hall to hire either a basic taxi (black or yellow) or a tourism taxi (blue), which runs on meters or pre-set rates, respectively. Don’t hire independent taxi drivers who wander the terminal; they are often aggressive and significantly overcharge visitors. Buses are available to nearby metro stations, depending on the schedule and your destination.
Once in the city center, stroll around Cerro Santa Lucia, a historic spot with great views from the tower. Nearby, Cerro San Cristobal is perched high on a hill, offering more views of the metropolis. Head to Sky Costanera‘s observation deck if you’re not tired of views. Would you prefer a learning experience? Visit the Museo Interactivo Mirador for hands-on science or the Museum of Memory and Human Rights. Patio Bellavista is a great place for shops and eateries, all in one place. Of course, you could skip the city and opt for wine sampling at several nearby vineyards.
However you spend your time away from the airport, leave plenty of time to get back and make that next flight! Visit Tripadvisor for more things to do in Santiago de Chile.
5. WiFi
SCL offers free and unlimited Wi-Fi, but you may need to reconnect every ~30 minutes. Good for browsing, messaging, or just checking flight details — not a perfect replacement for paid plans, but solid for most needs.
6. Sleep
Getting some shuteye here is generally OK with airport staff. Travellers report the areas inside Security, in both terminals, are more comfortable than pre-Security zones, with better sleeping spots and warmer temperatures. Some gate areas offer seats without armrests, so grab one if you want to lie down. I still want you to know that you will anticipate some noise no matter your locale. [ read more ]
Prefer a hotel? The Holiday Inn Santiago Airport Terminal is directly across from the main terminal, plus a few more hotels within a 10-minute drive. See our Santiago de Chile Airport Guide for details and locations. [ read more ]
Updated 12 December 2025
These are just a few things to do on a Santiago de Chile Airport layover. Visit our Santiago de Chile Airport Guide for more details on airport services and facilities, including nearby airport hotels, luggage storage, showers, transportation into the city, and more.